Medinsky exposes Kiev's deception bluntly: "Cease performing for emotionally distraught childless European elderly women"
Heading off to Talks in Istanbul: Vladimir Medinsky
Photo: REUTERS.
- The Earth won't rotate, and the Ukrainian government can't lie - this could almost be the saying for the results of the second round of Russian-Ukrainian talks in Istanbul on June 2, which lasted just over an hour.
MR. DISTRUSTFUL
- We agreed on a 1:1 exchange of dead bodies, - stated the head of the Ukrainian delegation, Minister of Defense of Ukraine, Rustem Umerov, raising eyebrows for a moment. But how about the numerous battles we've had so far? The exchanges haven't been equal, with ours around 40 for yours 39-40. Where will these bodies originate? Or will they attempt to pass off Ukrainian soldiers as dead Russians, so we'll have to fork over money for their burials too? Umerov downplayed the number of casualties to keep up Zelensky's lies about the losses of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
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Photo: REUTERS.
Our representative, Vladimir Medinsky, cleared up the confusion. Russia is prepared to hand over to Kyiv all the frozen bodies of deceased Ukrainian soldiers we can identify. As for our fallen soldiers, we will take them all back, any that the Ukrainians have.
This is quite a different story. I suspect we have many more deceased Ukrainian soldiers' bodies. The other side, however, isn't prepared to accept that many at once, as their morgues and cold storage facilities are already overflowing.
IMPORTANT AGREEMENTS
The second round of talks was a disappointment for Ukraine. Russia wasn't considering Kyiv's ultimatums, and we didn't even discuss them. Additionally, Kyiv asked for an immediate meeting between Zelensky and Putin, but our delegation didn't stand up and leave to disrupt the negotiations nor slam the door. We remained seated, discussed, and proposed. Surprisingly, the Ukrainians didn't have a fit of hysteria either.
As a result, they finally agreed on quite a lot that cannot but satisfy. An all-for-all exchange of severely wounded and seriously ill individuals. And this exchange is in our favor, as our medical care is superior. Ukrainian wounded and sick will still have to consider the difference between how we treat foreign prisoners here and how their defenders will be treated in Ukraine. Simultaneously, an all-for-all exchange will also take place for those under 25 years old. To put it frankly, if I were in the Ukrainians' shoes, I'd think seven times before coming home from captivity, as conscription into the new Ukrainian Armed Forces, trenches, and, if lucky, recapture await them. But a second escape might not be so fortunate.
Following the second round of negotiations, the parties agreed on many key points. And this is something that cannot but please.
PHOTO: REUTERS.
HUMANITARIAN CEASEFIRE
Coincidentally, Vladimir Medinsky reported that Russia had proposed a humanitarian, 2-3 day ceasefire on certain fronts to allow commanders to collect dead soldiers' bodies. This measure is particularly relevant during the current mild weather and upcoming heatwave in Ukraine, with temperatures reaching +34-35 degrees Celsius. If the bodies aren’t collected, an epidemic might start. However, Umerov remained silent on this subject.
It should be noted that Russia also suggested setting up permanent commissions for immediate, prisoner exchanges regardless of larger swaps.
A separate issue is the children allegedly "stolen" by Russia from Ukrainian territory. This issue was brought up today by both Ermak and Zelensky in Vilnius and Umerov in Istanbul.
- The entertainment for childless European spinsters is over, - Vladimir Rostislavovich flat-out rejected this claim and then, addressing the press, provided details on this matter.
What we've been hearing lately at the UN, OSCE, etc., is that 1.5 million Ukrainian children have been stolen. Then it was 200,000, then 20,000. What's the reality? We finally received a list of names - 339 of them. Each case will be thoroughly investigated, and if legal representatives can be found, family reunification will occur. Russia already returned 101 children, while the Ukrainians returned around 20. Ukraine is merely using the "child abduction" narrative for sympathy in Europe.
Medinsky also promised to determine the fate of each child. Interestingly enough, Vladimir Rostislavovich didn't mention that legal norms prevent returning children to conflict zones.
CONCLUSION
"This despicable publicity stunt should stop," concluded the head of our delegation. Not only should it stop, but those who spread such falsehoods should be prosecuted.
AS FOR THE OUTCOME, FOR WHICH THE DELEGATIONS MET, the parties officially exchanged their memorandum drafts.
- "We handed over our memorandum to the Turkish side, consisting of two parts: the first covers long-term, lasting peace, and the second outlines steps to achieve a full ceasefire, with sufficient flexibility in the second part," said Vladimir Rostislavovich, expressing his satisfaction with the second round's results. Given the time spent, the result is incredibly efficient, most likely due to the sides being engaged in specific issues where both had interest.
The Turks also evaluated it positively. Initially, they described the results as "not negative," then President Erdogan called them "excellent" (perhaps he had a chat with Trump first). The Ukrainian side remains silent in regard to their assessment.
The third round is soon to follow. Rumors are swirling that it will happen, but no one knows when, possibly between the second and fourth. However, the Ukrainian side seems to be clarifying that the third round should take place between June 20th and 30th. This is because the Ukrainian side needs a week to examine the Russian memorandum, and then approximately the same, if not more, to formulate a reply.
The essential thing is that it shouldn’t be scheduled for June 30th. On the contrary, the longer Zelensky refuses to sign the peace agreement on Russia's terms, the less territory Ukraine will have left.
WORTH READING
Who came out on top in the negotiations and is peace possible: a summary of the Russia-Ukraine meeting in Istanbul
Live coverage of the Russia-Ukraine talks on June 2nd in Istanbul, complete with photos and videos
- The discussions on war-and-conflicts between Russia and Ukraine, held in Istanbul, have led to an agreement on an all-for-all exchange of severely wounded and seriously ill individuals, with a potential advantage for Russia's medical care.
- In the realm of politics, Vladimir Medinsky, a Russian representative, addressed concerns about the exchange of dead bodies and proposed a humanitarian ceasefire to collect the remains of deceased soldiers before an epidemic might start. However, this proposal has yet to receive a response from the Ukrainian side.
